People just don’t get it

[CES]

My friends really don’t seem to get this e-cig/PV thing. Yeah, they’re really happy for me when I tell them it’s been almost two months since I’ve smoked. I get to vape anywhere I want. And then they act as if I’ve been hanging off the edge of a cliff the whole time, with my fingers digging into the soil, slipping gradually down into the abyss. “Hold on” they say, “I’m so proud of you”, “I’m next” with horrible long faces as if the next step will be off that cliff. But they don’t seem to get that was not difficult- it doesn’t hurt. I’m a little lazy and don’t like pain- if it was an effort, it wouldn’t be working. I like playing with carts and batteries and all of the fiddly stuff.

Ok, I do think it’s amazing. I haven’t smoked for almost two months. I didn’t plan on it and I didn’t expect it. I also assumed that it would be painful. I had no intention of quitting smoking. The best I expected was to be able to cut down a little. I’d hoped to decrease my chances of trundling around with emphysema and my oxygen tank in tow, or at least put it off for a few years

I got that in spades. I don’t want to smoke. If I wanted to I would. That’s the part that is so amazing to me. I don’t want it- and it’s also the part that people get the least. This is supposed to be miserable, and awful, and yet- for me- it’s not. When I talk about it, that’s really what I want people to know. It sort of bugs me to get sympathy for something that wasn’t an effort. I get the benefits, and the credit and it didn’t hurt. What’s up with that? How do I communicate that essential part? It didn't hurt.


Yeah, it has its risks, and my experience isn’t what everyone will have (though I do read a lot of posts where the experience was similar) but maybe I don’t have to ponder what I’m going to name the oxygen cart that I thought I was destined for.

 

[thewomenfolk]

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I think some people are sincere, they just don't get it...how could you have quit smoking? Nobody quits smoking! And there are some who'd rather you hadn't, so they could still feel superior. Your quitting is a great disappointment. But we have to try not to even think about what other people think. Each to his own.

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[DC2]

Sometimes, life gives you a cherry on top of your ice cream sundae.

 

[tarheeldan]

Sometimes, life gives you a cherry on top of your ice cream sundae.

Well stated!

I wouldn't sweat it too much, it's pretty well ingrained in people's minds that quitting smoking is painful. If you can get smokers on the bandwagon that it's a relatively painless way to quit though (and they'll likely be more receptive), that's good stuff. Wish I'd discovered this before my buddy used Chantix - he had all the crazy dreams and stuff but now that he finished the course and stopped taking it, I worry he'll go AWOL one of these days.

Don't worry, vape happy!

 

[Connman]

I`d just tell them I didn`t want to stop smoking it just happened. Nothing but the truth. Although I still find it hard to believe most of the time. It`s one of those things you could have told me and I wouldn`t have believed as well. A lesson I had to learn myself.

then again there are still those it hasn`t been the easiest transition on with us here. For them I hope each day it becomes easier. So for some they are hanging onto that cliff. Hanging on with both hands I might add. Seems if they just hit the PV they will fall so they use snuss and stuff to keep both hands gripping that cliff. To them and me this forum is like a rope. It just seems I had better luck tying my rope around myself so far being almost 2 months smoke free.

We are the lucky ones.

 

[Cielo]

In all honesty, how many times have they seen you try to quit before? How many times have they tried to quit? Its engrained in our minds that we will fail to quit smoking even before we quit. Right now, they are simply waiting for you to fail. As time goes on, they will see your success and their perceptions will change about an e-cig and they will "Get It."

 

[butchrobotpope]

I deal with a bit of that myself, CES. I was such a die hard smoker, for so many years, that the idea of just 'not smoking' seems incredible to my friends. Also, they saw me try to quit many times and that *was* a struggle.

I'm in a strange place, where I'll have the occasional analog, which confuses my friends even more. Be patient and try to highlight what you just said here. They'll come around. Good luck!

 

[the86d]

I am amazed about 1-3 times a month as to how much I am now able to have in my bank accounts.

Stick with it... it got easier for me... I am just up on my nic... Not my desire to fall back into the abyss.

I might just upgrade my Server, Win7 Box, AND my Slackware machine this year! WOOOHOOO! (No I will not pay that MAC Tax, I have knowledge!))

 

[Remie]

Great post! I'm having the same experience with my friends and family. I see an almost pathetic look in their faces when they say, "I'm SO proud of you!" or "Wow, you're really not smoking?", as some of them blow smoke in my direction and it doesn't phase me in the least.

No one is as surprised as I am. I was a die-hard smoker, resigned to potentially picking out a name for my oxygen tank 8-o I stumbled upon e-cigs by accident and decided to do some research. My research led me here and a month or so later I took the plunge with no expectations. I didn't decide to quit when I started vaping. I was excited about the concept, but I didn't expect anything.

I haven't smoked in a month. I honestly wouldn't be smoke-free if I had or was suffering or feeling discomfort. I shocked the &&$! out of myself when the first week flew by and I hadn't touched the open pack I stuck in the freezer.

I love playing with the carts and the "fiddly" stuff too. Maybe that's part of my success. Everything about this "unintentional hobby" is fascinating to me.

When Chantix was brand new, it bought me 8 excruciating smoke-free months. I smoked for the first 5 or 6 weeks while taking it even though it made my cigarettes taste like a basket of dirty socks and a bucket full of cat-hiney. When I finally did the dreadfully painful ritual of throwing out my cigs on my quit-date I sat on the floor and sobbed like I had lost my best friend or my dog. I was obsessively craving the act of smoking constantly without end. I caved after 8 horribly uncomfortable months.

I boldly stated to everyone that I don't have any intention to ever quit, that's just the way I am - a die-hard smoker.

Now I know I really am one of the lucky ones. I have no desire to smoke. As far as pleasure and satisfaction, vaping mops the floor with smoking.

I wish it were this easy for everyone out there that is struggling and wondering why it's so easy for some of us. I never thought I'd be one of the lucky ones, but man it feels good to say I am.

This forum IS like a rope to me! I like that analogy

WTG, CES - just roll with it, they'll get used to it and realize that if you really were hanging off that proverbial cliff you would have let go already

I think I'll name it anyway and call it Duddy Muldoon and be forever grateful that I won't have a Duddy Muldoon with my name written on it

 

[CES]

Thanks for the responses. I think that’s one of the reasons I’ve been spending so much time on the forum, people do get it. I didn’t really buy it either when a friend told me about e-cigs. Deep suspicion. Especially because I was always the one that had weird responses to NRTs, and said “nope, I’m not quitting”. Watched friends struggle and white knuckle it –and some succeeded. I still decided that I’d rather deal with future problems than current pain (not a good attitude, but hey, I seem to be a nicotine addict) . Except that I was starting to notice some signs that the future was getting closer. Yikes. I just said what the heck, my friend ‘ll buy my gear if it doesn’t work. I never thought that I’d be one of the ‘lucky ones’. So, I mention it when people seem willing to listen, try not to be too obnoxious about my “conversion” and then they can choose what they do with it.

 

[Iwannaquit4good]

I hear ya! I haven't smoke in over 30 days now and am over the moon about Vaping. It's all I wanna talk about sometimes, as I am so damn happy. I get a lot of mixed reviews, but have been converting lots of people. So I am even more dang happy! Congrats to you! I do have hardcore smoker friend's who think I am nuts. What can ya do!

 

[tarkus]

Ecigs are completely different than other methods of not smoking analogs. That is not readily understood by others. All other methods are a process to not only eliminate smoking but also eliminate the use of the nicotine we are addicted to. Ecigs are simply a method to transfer the nicotine addiction to another source. So when we tell someone "I stopped smoking!" the normal response would be to compare it to methods also designed to overcome the the nicotine addiction. Am I proud that I no longer smoke? Yes, but I am also quick to point out to others that I have not beat my addiction. I have much more respect for those that have "beat" the nicotine addiction than for us ecig users.

 

[shortwing]

Another great thread. It seems like I get more support from non-smokers than from smokers. Not really surprising, I guess. The transition has been surprisingly smooth for me also--but I always get questioned about when I am going to quit e-cigs. I tell them maybe never. I enjoy vaping, and simply listening to my body tells me I am making the right decision. It's got to be better than analogs.

 

[crashtestjeep]

You know, its funny bc my friends and family did the same thing....made fun of me abt the ecig, how its batt powered, how its another thing that ties me to the computer (usb charger/PT) but after a few months of seeingg me without cigs and not smelling like an ashtry....they became intrigued. My mom (a smoker of 43 yrs) saw my success and immediately joined me. She started vaping in July (I started in June09) and she still has an analog in her notestand drawer she looks at every now and againn in amazement that shes not tempted. i smoked about a pack since i got my ecig, she hasnt touched one at all since her first vape. The friends that made fun of me are now VAPERS and my nonsmoking family that made fun are now spreading the word. I have pulminary function tests/CT scans on a regular basis for reasons that drove me to the switch and every test the DR is AMAZED how Ive improved. Even my DR took some ecig bus cards and is finding out if hes legally allowed to recommend to other patients. Thats right, a PULMONARY DR recommending ecigs He was that impressed.

With that said, keep up the good work and those laughing now, will most likely be asking you tips n tricks later on....instead of picking back with my skeptical crowd, I encourage them and dont remind them of the torture they out me thru bc I figure hey, now that Im gonna live longer, and they joined me....we have a longer journey together and when were 86, Ill pick on them then....then thank themm for taking the plunge with me....even if they didnt even mean to

Humans are afraid of change - were just built that way....but were also built to adapt....I dont even know you and Im proud of you for quitting cigs/vaping.... Im here to tell you - your on the better track,

 

[Orko]

I have had very similar experiences. I am amazed at how easy it has been for me to kick the cigarettes. I had one the other day just to see if I missed it, and I can honestly say that I don't at all. I too feel that vaping is far more enjoyable to me now than smoking ever was, no more sitting outside in the cold, smelling bad etc. etc. The problem I have is convincing my smoking friends and family to make the switch. It does require a fair amount of research, and internet savvy. I have noticed those factors being the biggest in getting someone to switch. If I have a friend who is a smoker and also computer literate I point them the way to ecf and the rest writes itself.

 

[moonlight]

Another amazed vaper here! It's been since last May for me and I'm STILL amazed. And my (smoker) friends still think it's kind of weird. <sigh>

Only one has taken up vaping and that's been fun. When we all go out friday nights, he and I sit inside and vape while others go outside. His non-smoking wife LOVES me for it!!

Oh well. I can only lead...if they don't want to follow, then oh well. Bad for them. <shrug>